Mass Effect: Andromeda is upon us, and it's an exciting time. After all, how often do we get a new Mass Effect game? The trilogy made quite an impression and is among BioWare's most memorable games. One has to wonder if this new installment, which shares elements of the original in a new storyline and world, could affect us in the same way. While we can only hope that will be the case, one can't help but wish this had instead been Mass Effect 4, rather than an attempt at something new.

Here is the thing about Mass Effect: Andromeda, it's still this great unknown. The game is out this month, but we haven't had any betas or opportunities to really see and appreciate what's there. This is a blank slate headed straight for people with expectations. Especially when the final Mass Effect game didn't ties things up the way people would have liked and had many of the races, lore, and information we'd come to expect from the series.

Most importantly, a Mass Effect 4 could have been a mea culpa. People had issues with the ending. While leaving the trilogy behind was tempting, especially when at a stopping point, there were many things left unanswered. What happens after the Reapers are gone? BioWare could have picked one ending as canon. Which wouldn't have been uncommon in the world of video games. As the creators, they have that right, and people would have accepted and appreciated that in the name of resolution.

After all, Mass Effect 3 left us with so many unanswered questions. How does the galaxy deal with the last remnants of Cerberus? While the Illusive Man and his higher ranking officials are done, there were bound to be remainders. How do races interact when the Citadel, a hub for everyone to come together and make alliances, is gone? We saw the people willing to feed on the weak in Omega. While many groups, such as the Asari, Turian, and Salarian races, are peaceful, what about Krogan, Batarian, and Vorcha splinter groups?

That isn't even getting into our crew. The people who found themselves on the Normandy at one point or another were so important to us. We fought alongside them, building trust up with these characters. They were important and mattered to us. We know the immediate crew on the ship were briefly shipwrecked. Where were they? How did they get home? What about the ones actively involved in the fight? We heard people like Jack dealing with incredible losses. What happened with all of them? The extended ending to Mass Effect 3 wasn't enough closure.

There was more to do in the original Mass Effect universe. We had more to see and do. Enough closure wasn't provided. While Mass Effect: Andromeda could end up being great, there's a sense of longing that a Mass Effect 4 could have fulfilled. It's a shame BioWare didn't go back.